THE LATEST LINE: WEBBER LEFT BIG MARK ON LOCAL SPORTS

If it's true what they say about the good dying young, then Paul Webber certainly fits that bill.

The former Jackson High School football coach, who passed away last Sunday at age 53, didn't have nearly enough years on this earth to affect the lives that he routinely touched through his coaching and general good will.

He was one of the first coaches I got to know well when I started working for the Southeast Missourian in the mid-1980s. It wasn't long before I considered him a good friend.

Not only did I enjoy covering Jackson's Indians and then sitting around the fieldhouse with Coach Webber and his assistants talking football, I relished the long telephone conversations he and I would have on many Friday nights when he would call the newspaper office to find out some of the other area scores.

Rarely did I see Coach Webber when he wasn't wearing that huge trademark grin of his. A large, bear of a man, he sometimes reminded me of a big Santa Claus when he'd see me, shake my hand and put one of those big old arms around me.

And could he ever coach. I don't know that I've come across a coach who was as detail-oriented and organized. He had a plan for everything, which is probably why he became known as a great builder of programs.

When Coach Webber came to Jackson in 1969, the Indians were nothing special on the gridiron. He eventually changed that and led his teams to a 130-71-2 record in 20 seasons. He also coached wrestling and led Jackson to a state title in that sport.

Then Coach Webber accomplished what is arguably one of the most amazing rebuilding jobs in the history of high school football -- or maybe football on any level.

Coach Webber went to his alma mater, Poplar Bluff, taking over a program in 1989 that had gone 2-38 the previous four seasons.

After a first year of 3-7, the Mules had an undefeated regular season and finished 11-1 after losing in the state quarterfinals. His final Poplar Bluff team -- and ultimately his last year of coaching before getting into administration -- went 7-3.

A terrific family man with strong Christian values, Coach Webber and his wife Jennifer raised five fine children, four boys and a girl.

My deepest sympathy goes out to the entire family and all the other people whose lives Coach Webber touched.

That's certainly some long list.

And it includes me.

* A lot of people have been asking me to print the uniform numbers of Marquis Walker and Angel Rubio, two former SEMO football stars now in the NFL.

Walker, a cornerback with the Oakland Raiders, is No. 38. He's doing quite well, with two interceptions, tying him for second on the team. Walker also had 14 tackles, 11th-best on the squad.

Rubio, a nose tackle, has been on the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad, meaning he doesn't play in games.

* It's time to start playing some serious high school football -- as in district time.

This weekend begins the start of all-important district play, when playoff berths will begin to be decided.

~Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian